Articles Written by Christine

Shedding Some Light on Pigmentation

January 3, 2017

Pigmentary disorders are among the most common complaints of clients seeking skin care. Hyperpig¬mentation is an important condition that requires the expertise and understanding of an esthetician. It affects many Caucasians, Blacks, Hispanics and Asians. The goal of an esthetic pigment treatment is to correct and further prevent hyperpigmentation.

Melanin and Melanocytes

Melanin is a complex molecule responsible for the pigment in the skin, hair and eyes. The content of melanin within keratinocytes determines skin color, with deeply pigmented skin having the highest content of epidermal melanin. This molecule protects by reducing the penetration of UV rays into the skin and subsequently into the nuclei of cells where DNA resides. It is important to note that both dark and light skins have the same number of melanocytes (the cells responsible for melanoge¬nesis); however, the ways these cells respond differ greatly.

To fully understand melanin and its influence in skin, you have to acknowledge the biological differences in melanocytes. Melanocytes are dendritic cells (cells with extended arms) located in the basal layer of the epidermis. Approximately 36 keratinocytes interface with one melanocyte, forming what is identified as the epidermal-melanin unit. Distribution of these cells can vary and when isolating the facial regions, as more numerous melanocytes are found on the head and neck.

Treating Pigmentation

How many times has a client exhibiting pigmentation morbidity had the misimpression that you can magically make it disappear with a treatment or two, or one product? We have to always remember pigmentation is a permanent injury of the skin and requires the due diligence and continued compliance of both the esthetician and client for the rest of their lives. These disorders do not fade or go away over night and must be managed daily. Clinical treatments, continuance of skin lighteners and daily protection of SPF must become a lifestyle to manage these challenging pigmentation conditions.

Becoming Involved in Licensure and the State Board

June 27, 2014

On April 18, 2001, Utah House Bill 105 (HB 105), sponsored by Representative Sheryl L. Allen and signed into law by Governor Michael O. Leavitt, officially established the first master esthetics license in the United States. Since the passage of this act, the states of Virginia and Washington have followed, with California very close to doing the same.

This significant licensing act did not happen due to a passive demeanor. It required dedicated involvement. Members of the Utah Beauty Association and I functioned as guiding forces in the interest of the Esthetician’s Act for the state of Utah to ensure this license would pass into law.

Despite overwhelming odds, those involved carried out their due diligence and were persistent in contacting state legislators; emphasizing the importance of licensing for consumer protection; organizing with the Utah Medical Association legal team; hiring respected and experienced lobbyists; and working closely with Represen¬tative Allen to sponsor the bill. Hundreds rallied to demonstrate at Utah’s Capitol Rotunda to express support for esthetic licensure, and made sure the news media was aware of the agenda.

In addition to my principal actions and hard work in the passage of the bill, I also served on the Esthetician’s Act task force to establish safety guidelines for Utah’s master esthetics license and have been involved in contributing essential test questions.

Getting engaged with licensure and the board is integral in order to change old, outdated laws established decades ago for estheticians. Today, so many states are starting to revolutionize their antiquated practices to move forward and raise the bar for the profession of esthetics. Make no mistake: It requires dedicated estheticians getting involved with licensure and the state board. Do you have the passion and ability to become involved at your state level to upgrade and protect laws for esthetics?

Muscle Marketing for Your Spa

April 1, 2014

Affirmation. Vision. Strategy. Goals. Creativity. Five words you should commit to your muscular memory to help create a bigger, more powerful position for your skin care facility to grow into. Thinking outside of the box will help to establish client addicts who are captivated by your company’s indelible customer experiences.

If your marketing efforts only extend to actions, such as handing out brochures and business cards, hanging wall posters, providing samples, and maintaining a simple website and a part-time Facebook presence, you’re practicing run-of-the-mill marketing.

There is no room for mediocre if you expect to win at marketing—you’re aware that small businesses are not afforded the luxury to spend the millions that Fortune 500 companies spend on marketing— however, Goliath was brought down with a small slingshot. In other words, stop worrying about that giant competitor and become laser-focused on your own business using unconven-tional and conventional marketing methods.